Basic Details - Introduction

Many architectural copper systems depend on some basic details for their installation. These details are considered essential for the proper functioning of any well installed system and have become somewhat generic in the sheet metal industry. Once mastered, these details should be viewed as building blocks allowing very complicated and unique design options.

These basic details and techniques are presented here as a guide to the designer and engineer in order to highlight some of the architectural and structural requirements of various copper systems.

A very extensive and complete set of details for a variety of applications are included in the CDA's Copper in Architecture Design Handbook.

Basic Details - Diagram List

CategoryDiagrams
Rigid Seams Lap Seam, Soldered
Lap Seam, Riveted
Flat Lock Seam, Soldered
Lap Seam, Riveted and Soldered
Loose Seams Lap Seam
Flat Lock Seam
Double Lock Seam, Cleated
Single, Common Lock or Hook Seam
Additional Loose Lock Seams Narrow-Loose-Lock Transverse Seam, Steep Pitch
Wide Loose-Lock Transverse Seam, Low Pitch
Standing Seam
Single Lock Standing Seam
Batten Seam
Pre-fabricated Standing Seam
Standing Seam with Snap Lock
Drive Cleat or Lock
Expansion Seams Clevis Seam
Slip Expansion Seam
Loose Lock with Sealant
Corner Seams and Edges Edge Strip- Detail 1
Edge Strip- Detail 2
Hemmed Edge
Double Seam Corner Lock
Single Seam Corner Lock
Copper Cleats Typical Fixed Cleats (2 details)
Typical Copper Cleat Installed
Typical Copper Hold-Downs Hold-Down
Expansion Cleats Typical Expansion Cleats
Alternate Expansion Cleat
Lock Strips Lock Strip
Double Fold